Holder for matches



c. THOMAE I HOLDER FOR MATCHES.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 24, I920.

' Patented Dec. 14, 1920.

FIG.

FIG. III

- INVENTOR 14%;

WITNESSES UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES THOMAE, OF ATTLEBORO, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO THE THOMAE COMPANY, OF ATTLEBORO, MASSACHUSETTS.

HOLDER FOR MATCHES.

Application filed July 24, 1920.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES THOMAE, a citizen of the United States, residing in the city of Attleboro, county of Bristol, and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Holders for Matches, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, form ng part thereof.

My invention relates to holders for matches, particularly to holders for safety match folders.

In the accompanying drawings Figure I is a view of the holder in front elevation. Fig. II is a view in rear elevation. Fig. III is a sectional view ofFig. I taken in the plane XX. Y Y. Fig. IV is a sectional view of Fig. II taken in the plane X X Y--Y. Fig. V is a perspective view of the holder with the front removed and a portion of the paper match folder therein torn away.

Like characters denote like parts in all the figures.

My invention is a simple device, both useful and ornamental, for holding safety match folders and it is so constructed that each match can be removed and ignited without removing the folder entirely from the holder. The article is simple to nanufacture, it being stamped from a single piece f metal and then bent mto shape.

My new holder consists of a case hav ng a frbnt A, a back B and sides 0, the ends being entirely open. Across the bottom of the front A I provide an opening D which will expose the friction surface of the match folder when inserted in the case. Upon the back B, I provide a spring finger E which is adjusted to retain the said folder in its proper place within the case. The back B is recessed at the botttom to expose a portion of the folder so that the same can be easily pushed up through the case and Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 14, 1920.

Serial No. 398,676.

cause the matches to project from the top thereof. On the sides C, I place smaller spring fingers whose function is to engage the loop in the bottom of the'folder when t is being thus pushed up, thereby formlng a stop to prevent the entire removal thereof in that direction.

In using this holder, a package of matches is inserted in the top of the case, forced by the small spring fingers in the sides, and pushed on downward into the case until it comes into firm frictional contact with the large spring finger in the back where it will be held until optionally released for use. The recessed portion of the back B forms a convenient place from which the package can be pushed up until the folder is exposed from the top of the case sufficiently to detach the matches therefrom. The force used in detaching the matches does not pull the package entirely from the case because movement in that direction is limited by the operation of the stop device above described. After a match has been detached, the folder is pushed back into the case and the friction surface thereof will then be exposed through the slot D where the match can be ignited.

The surface of the case is adapted to receive a Varied ornamental treatment.

My claim is:

A case stamped from a single piece of metal to form a front, having a slot near the base; a back, provided with a recessed portion at the base; a spring finger stamped from said back and bent inwardly; sides; grips stamped from said sides and bent in- Wardly.

In testimony whereof I hereunto aflix my signature in the presence of two witnesses this nineteenth day of July, A. D. 1920.

CHARLES THOMAE. Witnessses:

JAMES L. BRIGGS, CHAS. H. FRADD. 

